Unit of competency Outline

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Assess thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques

Assess thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques

Unit of competency
National Code
CPPHSA4004A
State Code
D5447
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/04/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/09/2014
Field of Education
030905 - Building Services Engineering
Original Release Date
15/09/2014
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to assess the thermal performance of existing residences using non-rating tools and techniques.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and organise the assessment.
  • 1.1 Need for assessing thermal performance of an existing residential building is clarified with client.
  • 1.2 Effective communication strategies are employed to assist in establishing rapport with client and in responding to client questions and concerns.
  • 1.3 Assessment is planned in line with commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and industryethical and conduct standards.
  • 1.4 Issues relating to state and territory legislation and regulations and industry ethical and conduct standards are identified and clarified with client.
  • 1.5 Plan is established for the assessment in line with enterprise practice and client requirements.
  • 1.6 Potential hazards are identified to ensure risks are suitably managed.
  • 1.7 Assessment activities are planned to ensure they do not compromise the health and safety of self and others.
  • 1.8 Assessment documentation is prepared in a manner consistent with enterprise practice.
  • 1.9 Tools, equipment and other requirements for the assessment are identified and arrangements are made to ensure their availability on day of assessment.
  • 1.10 Client is advised of information that should be obtained prior to assessment and details of assessment are confirmed.
  • 1.11 Authority to proceed is obtained from client prior to commencement and reconfirmed as appropriate during the assessment.
Gather and analyse information on thermal performance of existing residence.
  • 2.1 Information required for conducting the thermal performance assessment is determined.
  • 2.2 Information is gathered from the resident and measurements and observations are also conducted during inspection of residence.
  • 2.3 Information is verified for accuracy and recorded using relevant data collection tool.
  • 2.4 Information is analysed to identify strengths and weaknesses of the thermal performance of the residence.
Assess options for improving thermal performance of existing residence.
  • 3.1 Sources of technical advice on building thermal performance are identified.
  • 3.3 Government rebates and other assistance programs for improving the thermal performance of existing residential buildings are identified.
  • 3.3 Options for improving thermal performance and reducing emissions of the residence are evaluated.
  • 3.4 Cost of options for improving thermal performance of the residence is estimated in line with enterprise procedures.
Report outcomes of thermal performance assessment of existing residence.
  • 4.1 Results and recommendations, along with supporting evidence, are collated and documented in line with enterprise and client requirements.
  • 4.2 Estimated cost of proposed recommendations, associated reductions in costs and emissions, and improvements in thermal performance are documented in line with enterprise procedures.
  • 4.3 Results and recommendations, including estimated costs, are explained to client in line with enterprise, legislative and client requirements.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Need for assessing thermal performance of an existing residential building may include assessment for:
building design, renovation or retrofit advice purposes
determining thermal performance profile and identifying opportunities for improving thermal performance
legislative, regulatory and compliance purposes.
Residential building refers to:
any building categorised as Class 1, 2, 4 and 10a of the Building Code of Australia or in accordance with jurisdictional requirements.
Client may include:
builder
community organisation
construction manager
government agency
house owner
landlord
property developer
property manager
real estate agent
tenant.
Effective communication strategies may include:
active listening
being non-judgemental
exploring problems
expressing an individual perspective
providing sufficient time for questions and responses
providing summarising and reflective responses in conflict situations
using appropriate words, behaviour and posture
using clarifying, summarising questions
using clear and concise language
using culturally appropriate communication
using plain English
using verbal and non-verbal communication.
Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations, and industry ethical and conduct standards may include:
building thermal performance
environment protection
ethical behaviour
fair trading and consumer protection:
confidentiality
conflict of interest
duty of care
non-discriminatory practices
privacy
residential tenancies
home sustainability program-specific code of conduct
OHS
thermal performance assessment:
accreditation
assessment procedures
certification
documentation.
Issues may include:
basis for need to conduct thermal performance assessment
information required by thermal performance assessor from client
information that thermal performance assessor is required to document
objectives of thermal performance assessment
privacy of non-participating household members.
Hazards may include:
confined spaces
electricity
fire
harassment, bullying and/or violence involving co-workers or customers
hazardous substances:
asbestos
biological products
blood products
broken metal
chemicals
electrical wiring
fibres
fumes
gases
glass
insulation
leaking containers
oil and petrol
heat:
burns
scalds
manual handling:
carrying
lifting
pulling
pushing
machinery, including powered and non-powered equipment
skin penetrating injuries:
knives
sharps
syringes
waste
work environment:
access
animals
dust
floor surfaces
lighting
noise
smoking
temperature
trips and falls
working alone
working at heights
ventilation.
Assessment documentation may include:
building details
building plans and specifications
checklists
client details
company promotional materials
contact details
photographic evidence
risk assessment
site details.
Tools, equipment and other requirements may include:
calculator
clipboard
collection containers
compass
digital camera
ladder
personal protective equipment (PPE):
dust masks
eye protection
headwear
gloves
overalls
safety shoes and work boots
reference manuals
simple thermal performance calculator
tape measure
thermometer
timers
torch.
Information that should be obtained prior to assessment may include:
house construction details:
age
floor area
insulation
materials
number of storeys
household members:
age
number.
Details of assessment may include:
address and postcode of residence
assessor name and contact details
cost of assessment
date and time of assessment
duration of assessment.
Information may include:
air leakage features:
fans
wall vents
attachments to other buildings externally
construction materials
glazing
insulation levels:
ceiling
floors
walls
orientation
overshadowing
shading
thermal mass
ventilation
window size and type
zoning and layout.
Data collection tool may include:
checklists and forms
questionnaires
self-assessment forms
simple thermal performance calculator
tables.
Sources of technical advice on building thermal performance may include:
architects
builders
building designers
building thermal performance assessors
colleagues
consultants
engineers
government agencies
professional associations
research bodies
supervisors
suppliers of products related to building thermal performance.
Options for improving thermal performance and reducing emissions of the residence may include:
air leakage reduction
draught proofing
floor coverings
glazing
insulation levels
internal and external window coverings
landscaping and planting
shade
structural changes
ventilation.
Evaluation is based on:
availability of rebates and other assistance programs
cost
ownership of building
practicality
type of building.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed by the thermal performance assessment of an existing residence using non-rating tools and techniques.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
In particular, the person should demonstrate the ability to:
gather the building information required to conduct a thermal performance assessment of an existing residence
conduct a thermal performance assessment of an existing residence using non-rating tools and techniques
identify options for improving the thermal performance of an existing residence, taking into account the type of building, ownership of building, cost and practicality
apply knowledge of:
Australian climatic zones
building thermal performance principles
non-rating tools and techniques
passive energy design principles
relationship between building thermal performance and thermal comfort
thermal performance properties of common building materials.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory and Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
non-rating tools
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
access to residential buildings from which building information required for a building thermal performance assessment may be obtained
technology suitable for generating reports
technical reference library with current publications on:
building design and materials
house energy rating schemes (HERS)
building thermal performance for existing buildings
Australian climatic zones
manufacturers' product information on building products and materials.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the CPP07 Property Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:
CPPHSA4001A Assess household energy use
CPPHSA4002A Assess household waste generation and management
CPPHSA4003A Assess household water use.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Assessment processes and techniques should, as far as is practical, take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.